Abstract: Monitoring apparatus and methods are provided for assessing a physiological condition of a subject. At least two types of physiological information are detected from a subject via a portable monitoring device associated with the subject, and an assessment of a physiological condition of the subject is made using the at least two types of physiological information, wherein each type of physiological information is individually insufficient to make the physiological condition assessment. Environmental information from a vicinity of a subject also may be detected, and an assessment of a physiological condition of the subject may be made using the environmental information in combination with the physiological information. Exemplary physiological information may include subject heart rate, subject activity level, subject tympanic membrane temperature, and subject breathing rate. Exemplary environmental information may include humidity level information in the vicinity of the subject.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a subject includes attaching a sensor module having at least one optical emitter and detector to a body of the subject, delivering light from the at least one optical emitter into the body of the subject via a first light guide that is in optical communication with the at least one optical emitter, and collecting light from the body of the subject via a second light guide that is in optical communication with the at least one optical detector. The first light guide has a proximal end optically coupled to the at least one optical emitter and delivers light from the at least one optical emitter via a distal end thereof. The second light guide has a proximal end optically coupled to the at least one optical detector and collects light from the body of the subject via the distal end thereof.

Abstract: The heart rate monitor disclosed herein removes a step rate component from a measured heart rate by using one or more filtering techniques when the step rate is close to the heart rate. In general, a difference between the step rate and the heart rate is determined, and the step rate is filtered from the heart rate based on a function of the difference.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a housing configured to be attached to a body of a subject. An optical emitter, optical detector, and sensor for measuring motion noise are located within the housing. Light transmissive material is in optical communication with the optical emitter and detector and is configured to deliver light from the optical emitter to one or more locations of the body of the subject and to collect light external to the housing and deliver the collected light to the detector. A signal processor is configured to receive and process signals produced by the optical detector and the motion noise sensor, and to remove noise from the signals produced by the optical detector. The signal processor may generate physiological parameters for the subject such as heart rate, blood flow, blood pressure, VO2max, heart rate variability, respiration rate, and blood gas/analyte level.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a subject includes positioning an earbud within an ear of the subject, wherein the earbud housing encloses at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector, and wherein light transmissive material is external to the housing and in optical communication with the at least one optical emitter and detector via at least one window in the housing. Light is delivered from the at least one optical emitter through the at least one window and into an ear region of the subject via the light transmissive material, and light external to the housing is collected and delivered through the at least one window to the at least one optical detector via the light transmissive material. Motion of the subject is measured via a motion sensor, and signals produced by the at least one optical detector are processed to selectively remove effects from subject motion.

Abstract: A sensor module for detecting and/or measuring physiological information from a subject includes a housing with at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector supported by the housing. A first light guide is in optical communication with the at least one optical emitter and is configured to deliver light from the at least one optical emitter into a body of a subject. A second light guide is in optical communication with the at least one optical detector and is configured to collect light from the body of the subject. The sensor module includes a motion sensor and a processor. The motion sensor is configured to sense motion information from the subject and the processor is configured to remove motion artifacts from signals produced by the at least one optical detector in response to signals produced by the motion sensor.

Abstract: A method of generating a data string containing physiological and motion-related information includes sensing physical activity of a subject via at least one motion sensor attached to the subject, sensing physiological information from the subject via at least one photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor attached to the subject, and processing signals from the at least one motion sensor and signals from the at least one PPG sensor into a serial data string of physiological information and motion-related information. A plurality of subject physiological parameters can be extracted from the physiological information, and a plurality of subject physical activity parameters can be extracted from the motion-related information.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attenuating environmental interference are described. A wearable monitoring apparatus includes a housing configured to be attached to the body of a subject and a sensor module that includes an energy emitter that directs energy at a target region of the subject, a detector that detects an energy response signal—or physiological condition—from the subject, a filter that removes time-varying environmental interference from the energy response signal, and at least one processor that controls operations of the energy emitter, detector, and filter.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a band capable of encircling a portion of the body of a subject, and an optical emitter and detector attached to the band. The band includes comprises light transmissive material in optical communication with the optical emitter and optical detector and is configured to deliver light from the optical emitter to one or more locations of the body of the subject and to collect light from one or more locations of the body of the subject and deliver the collected light to the optical detector. The monitoring device may include a signal processor configured to receive and process signals produced by the optical detector, a transmitter configured to transmit signals processed by the signal processor to a remote device, and/or an optical filter.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing targeted advertising are provided. Physiological information is collected from a wearable monitoring device attached to a body of a first subject over a period of time, such as multiple days, weeks, or months. Exemplary physiological information includes pulse rate information, body temperature information, breathing rate information, blood pressure information, cardiac output information, and blood gas level information. The collected physiological information is analyzed to generate a profile for the first subject. At least one advertisement is selected in response to the profile, and presented to a second subject not wearing a monitoring device, wherein the first and second subjects have at least one matching demographic.

Abstract: A sensor module for detecting and/or measuring physiological information from a subject includes a housing with at least one optical emitter and at least one optical detector supported by the housing. A first light guide is in optical communication with the at least one optical emitter and is configured to deliver light from the at least one optical emitter into a body of a subject. A second light guide is in optical communication with the at least one optical detector and is configured to collect light from the body of the subject. The sensor module includes a motion sensor and a processor. The motion sensor is configured to sense motion information from the subject and the processor is configured to remove motion artifacts from signals produced by the at least one optical detector in response to signals produced by the motion sensor.

Abstract: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a subject via an earbud module includes positioning the earbud module within an ear of the subject such that a sensor region thereof matingly engages a region of the ear at the intersection of the anti tragus and acoustic meatus and is oriented in a direction away from the ear canal. Physiological information is then detected and/or measured via the optical sensor. The optical sensor includes an optical emitter and an optical detector, and detecting and/or measuring physiological information about the subject includes directing optical energy at the ear region via the optical emitter and detecting optical energy absorbed, scattered, and/or reflected by the ear region via the optical detector. Environmental information in a vicinity of the subject may be monitored via an environmental sensor associated with the earbud module and subject motion may be monitored via a motion sensor associated with the earbud module.

Abstract: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Abstract: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached to the ear of a person includes a base, an earbud housing extending outwardly from the base that is configured to be positioned within an ear of a subject, and a cover surrounding the earbud housing. The base includes a speaker, an optical emitter, and an optical detector. The cover includes light transmissive material that is in optical communication with the optical emitter and the optical detector and serves as a light guide to deliver light from the optical emitter into the ear canal of the subject wearing the device at one or more predetermined locations and to collect light external to the earbud housing and deliver the collected light to the optical detector.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a housing configured to be attached to a body of a subject. An optical emitter, optical detector, and sensor for measuring motion noise are located within the housing. Light transmissive material is in optical communication with the optical emitter and detector and is configured to deliver light from the optical emitter to one or more locations of the body of the subject and to collect light external to the housing and deliver the collected light to the detector. A signal processor is configured to receive and process signals produced by the optical detector and the motion noise sensor, and to remove noise from the signals produced by the optical detector. The signal processor may generate physiological parameters for the subject such as heart rate, blood flow, blood pressure, VO2max, heart rate variability, respiration rate, and blood gas/analyte level.

Abstract: A method of generating a data string containing physiological and motion-related information includes sensing physical activity of a subject via at least one motion sensor attached to the subject, sensing physiological information from the subject via at least one photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor attached to the subject, and processing signals from the at least one motion sensor and signals from the at least one PPG sensor into a serial data string of physiological information and motion-related information. A plurality of subject physiological parameters can be extracted from the physiological information, and a plurality of subject physical activity parameters can be extracted from the motion-related information.

Abstract: A monitoring device includes a band capable of encircling a portion of the body of a subject, and an optical emitter and detector attached to the band. The band includes comprises light transmissive material in optical communication with the optical emitter and optical detector and is configured to deliver light from the optical emitter to one or more locations of the body of the subject and to collect light from one or more locations of the body of the subject and deliver the collected light to the optical detector. The monitoring device may include a signal processor configured to receive and process signals produced by the optical detector, a transmitter configured to transmit signals processed by the signal processor to a remote device, and/or an optical filter.